We are smack dab in the middle of November, which means Christmas is coming out! I used to be a very strict after Thanksgiving-er, but the season gets so busy and I want to enjoy it as long as possible! So I threw out the rule book and decided I should start decorating when I felt like it and when it made me happy!! 🙂
We just finished our Christmas tree and getting the rest of the decor up today and I couldn’t be more excited. There is just something about Christmas decor and music that just makes me so happy!! And I think we could all use that this year! 😉
I know decorating a Christmas tree can seem daunting, especially if you have a larger Christmas tree so I’m giving you some tips to create a full display-like Christmas tree! (If that’s the look you’re going for of course!) This is the first time I’ve done a very uniformed tree and I could not be more in love with the look! I know a lot of people (me included) have sentimental and fun ornaments too! If you want both, I recommend having a smaller tree in another spot where you can highlight and display all of those special ornaments!! However, these tips works whether you want a uniformed look or a little mix or both! 🙂
1. Use Ribbon as a Base! Ribbon is a nice touch that adds layers and dimensions! You can wrap it around your tree, have it cascading down or cut into small pieces and have them randomly throughout the tree. I cut mine into about 12-18 inch strips (I just eyeballed it) and put them randomly throughout the tree. I looked to see where there were some gaps and started there and just continued to fill until I liked the way it looked.
2. Use Different Size and Textured Ornaments! This is especially important if you’re doing a uniformed tree! The different textures help give dimensions throughout the tree. Plus the different sizes help fill different spots throughout the tree! This is the same whether you’re doing all one color or a few colors!
3. Start with Your Filler and Large Ornaments First! Start with the ribbon. It’s easier to add ornaments around the ribbon rather than the reverse. Then I added my poinsettias. They are big and helped fill gaps within the tree. I also want to make sure they are evenly spaced throughout the tree. Next, put up your largest ornaments spread out with the other fillers you’ve added. After this I went through and added my smaller picks (berries or pine cones make a nice touch!).
4. Focus on the Front, but Don’t Forget About the Back! This is really if your tree is against a wall or you can’t easily see all the way around the tree. Start with the front and then work to the sides and then finish with the back. Use your specialty, big, and fun ornaments, picks and ribbon in the front and on the sides. I put all my energy into the front (since that’s what people will see lol) and then I quickly place the plain regular sized ornaments throughout the back so it looks complete and finished (especially if your tree has gaps and you can see areas of the back).
5. Don’t Just Use the Front of the Branch to Hang Ornaments! Placing ornaments in the middle or back of the branches can give a more dimensional look and help fill some holes in your tree!
6. Shorten Your Ornament Hooks! That’s the best thing about using the wired hooks! You don’t have to keep it in the size that they come. I bend mine shorter if I don’t want the ornament to hang so low or I want it to fill a specific area!
7. Move the Branches! This tip really only works with fake trees 😉 Don’t like where a branch is? Move it! Push it down or out to the side so the ornament hangs better or it helps fill a different spot of the tree!
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Move Ornaments or Filler as You Go! Sometimes it looks great as your starting, but as you continue to place more ornaments you might want to change or move things and that’s OK! The good thing is – everything can be taken and moved around so easily!
9. Stand Back and Check Your Tree as You Go! When you’re so close to your tree you might not see how everything is spaced out. Stand back so you can see the whole tree and see if you like the placement of everything. There might be too many similar ornaments clustered together that you should spread out. As long as you like the way it looks when you stand back is all that matters!
10. Have Fun and Enjoy Your Tree! Have fun with it! I always blast the Christmas music and have a little dance party. Have helpers or do it yourself! Put the tree up when you want! Use the ornaments and color schemes that make you happy. Don’t use ornaments, use all big or all small – it doesn’t matter! Your tree should bring you joy and happiness all season long!
Get your tree and decor by clicking on any of the photos below!!
